AND
THE CHILD (Jesus) GREW, AND WAXED STRONG IN SPIRIT, FILLED WITH WISDOM: AND
THE GRACE OF GOD WAS UPON HIM-Lk 2:40. NOW WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED,
IT CAME TO PASS, THAT JESUS ALSO BEING BAPTIZED, AND PRAYING, THE HEAVEN WAS
OPENED, AND THE HOLY GHOST DESCENDED IN A BODILY SHAPE LIKE A DOVE UPON HIM,
AND A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, WHICH SAID, THOU ART MY BELOVED SON; IN THEE I
AM WELL PLEASED. AND JESUS HIMSELF BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OF AGE-Lk
3:21-23.

AND JESUS BEING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST RETURNED FROM JORDAN, AND WAS LED BY
THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS, BEING FORTY DAYS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL. AND IN
THOSE DAYS HE DID EAT NOTHING: AND WHEN THEY WERE ENDED, HE AFTERWARD HUNGERED-Lk
4:1,2. The wording, FORTY DAYS TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL, denotes that during this
time, Jesus went through various temptations by Satan. When a person fasts for
a long time (no food, only water permitted), many thoughts arise in the their
mind. One of the main temptations is to give up: to not finish the fast (of
seven days, ten days, twenty-one days, or forty days, or whatever) that God
has called the person to do.We may also note that Jesus
withdrew Himself from people during His time of fasting and was led BY THE SPIRIT
INTO THE WILDERNESS. Then, afterward, HE…HUNGERED.

3-FIRST
TEMPTATION

AND THE DEVIL SAID UNTO HIM, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, COMMAND THIS STONE THAT
IT BE MADE BREAD-Lk 4:3.Jesus was now at His weakest.
He had just fasted for forty days. We may note the first temptation involves
food. It comes in the form of a challenge, "if thou be," then prove
it by doing this or that. We may say, this sounded reasonable, after all, Jesus
was hungry. This temptation certainly would have appealed to His flesh. What
really was at stake here was this: would Jesus be led of the Spirit of God?
or would He be led of the devil? Would Jesus follow and obey God? or would He
follow and obey the devil? Jesus is the Son of God. He had the power to turn
the rocks into bread; however, it needs to be noted, that doing sowould
not have been the will of the Father, but rather, what Satan desired Him
to do. This temptation was also devoted to "self." He was being tempted
to satisfy His hunger by using His divine power. The miracles that Jesus later
did benefited others, not Himself. Satan wanted Jesus to act independently from
His Father. Should Jesus have been disobedient in even the smallest matter,
He would not have been obedient in all things, even unto death.When temptations come on you
and you consider it is the devil tempting you, then you may expect to hear in
your thoughts, "It is not the devil. It is only your own thoughts giving
you some good advice." In other cases, you may hear, "This is God
speaking to you to do this, or that." AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF
IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT-2 Cor 11:14. How can we know the thoughts
that come from God and the thoughts that come from Satan? The answer is by God's
Word. Study, study, and study. Get to know the voice of God from the Bible so
well, that you can identify the deceptions of the devil when they come. God's
Word is the key. Many say, in this generation of deception we are now in, "God
told me to do this, or that," yet it contradicts God's written Word. Beware.Remember, Eve was also tempted
with food.Jesus overcame this temptation.
He did not yield to Satan's subtle deception. Jesus responded with God's Word.
The way to fight Satan, when he speaks to us and tempts us in our thoughts,
through our flesh, or in our emotions, is by using God's Word. Jesus said, IT
IS WRITTEN, THAT MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD
OF GOD-Lk 4:4. He quoted a passage from Deut 8:3. Quoting God's Word to Satan
caused him to cease this temptation and go on to another.Consider what Jesus had said.
His Word tells every born-again Christian how to live. We are to live
BY EVERY WORD OF GOD. We are to live by the Bible.The first recorded temptation
or test of Satan was "IF THOU BE." Among the last temptations or tests
that Jesus endured was of the same nature. Satan does not give up. He keeps
trying and trying. Note the temptation, or test, as Jesus was hanging on the
cross dying. AND THEY THAT PASSED BY REVILED HIM, WAGGING THEIR HEADS, AND SAYING..."IF
THOU BE" THE SON OF GOD, COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS. LIKEWISE ALSO THE CHIEF
PRIESTS MOCKING HIM, WITH THE SCRIBES AND ELDERS, SAID, HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF
HE CANNOT SAVE. IF HE BE THE KING OF ISRAEL, LET HIM NOW COME DOWN FROM THE
CROSS AND WE WILL BELIEVE HIM-Mt 27:39-42.The born-again Christian should
be very familiar with these tactics. Satan will speak to us in our thoughts
to do this or that "because." Satan will tell us to do something wrong
and then give us a good reason why we should do it. He will tell us, "It
is all right." He may tell us, "No one will know." He may tell
you that you can accomplish what your heart desires by doing it his way, rather
than God's way.Consider, Jesus WAS IN ALL
POINTS TEMPTED (or tested) LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN-Heb 4:15.

4-SECOND
TEMPTATION

The second temptation we read from Matthew's Gospel. THEN THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM
UP INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND SETTETH HIM ON A PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE, AND SAITH
UNTO HIM, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, CAST THYSELF DOWN: FOR IT
IS WRITTEN, HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE CONCERNING THEE: AND IN THEIR HANDS
THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP, LEST AT ANY TIME THOU DASH THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE-Mt
4:5,6.Satan's second temptation
goes a step further. This time Satan uses God's Word to tempt Jesus. Satan quoted
Scripture. Understand that Satan knows Scripture well, but he distorts and twists
it. He misuses Scripture by omitting parts of it and by using it out of context.
Note the words, IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, CAST THYSELF DOWN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN,
or we might say, "because." Do this or that, "because."Again, Jesus overcame this
temptation or test and gives us the example of how to deal with Satan. Jesus
used the Word. JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, THOU
SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD-Mt 4:7.Satan did not quote all the
Scripture. He left out "IN ALL THY WAYS"-ref Ps 91:11,12. A person
is protected when he obeys God.

5-THIRD
TEMPTATION

The third temptation or test reveals Satan's ultimate goal. He wants worship;
he wants to be God. He is willing to give you your heart's desire in order to
get your worship. Some may say, "I do not worship Satan." They do
not understand that disobedience to God is a form of worshiping Satan. It is
written, FOR REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT-I Sam 15:23.AGAIN, THE DEVIL TAKETH HIM
UP INTO AN EXCEEDING HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHOWETH HIM ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE
WORLD, AND THE GLORY OF THEM; AND SAITH UNTO HIM, ALL THESE THINGS WILL I GIVE
THEE, IF THOU WILT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP ME.Satan is now, as we might
say, "pulling out all stops." He offers Jesus all the kingdoms of
the world and the glory of them. The price is to worship Satan. The price is
to disobey God. Jesus will indeed reign and rule this world; however, Satan
seems to be saying, "Why wait? You can have all the kingdoms of the world
right now. Just worship me."Again, Jesus gives the example
of what to do when tempted: He used the Word of God. THEN SAITH JESUS UNTO HIM,
GET THEE HENCE, SATAN: FOR IT IS WRITTEN, THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE
LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE-Mt 4:8-10.Jesus commanded Satan, GET
THEE HENCE...FOR IT IS WRITTEN. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Christ come in the flesh.These words are for all Christians.
We are to WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE.Again, Jesus overcomes Satan's
deceptions.Note the following verses
showing that Satan wants worship and even wants to overthrow God. It is written,
O LUCIFER...THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO
HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD: I
WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE
NORTH: I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS; I
WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH-Isa 14:12-14. Keep in mind, once we submit
to Jesus, we no longer should say, "I will," but rather, "Let
God’s will be done."The day is coming and is close
at hand, when the Antichrist will say, yes, to this offer of being given all
the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. He will rule the world for
the last three and a half years of the Tribulation, but his end is to be cast
alive into the lake of fire for eternity.We may note that through these
temptations, Satan has appealed to the physical appetite, to personal gain,
and to the desire for power and glory. So many people, in the time of temptation,
fall away. As one studies the various temptations and subtle tactics that Satan
used against Eve and against Jesus, many similarities can be noted.God is pulling us in one direction:
toward repentance, childlike faith, and obedience to Him. Satan is pulling us
in another direction: toward disobedience to God.When being tempted, it is
not uncommon for someone to say, "I am confused. I don't know what to do."
GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION-1 Cor 14:33. Satan is.Often we may feel as though
we are between two ropes. One is tied to our right hand and the other to our
left hand. Both ropes are pulling on us at the same time. It may feel like we
are being pulled or torn apart. God is not willing that any should perish. One
way that Satan attacks God is through us. We are the battlefield. The fiery
darts, which sometimes seem like they are going to consume or overwhelm
us, are thoughts, emotions, and our flesh. These are "self." Sometimes
our stomach becomes so tied up in knots, we could almost scream. There are many
people that sell their soul to Satan for some worldly lust or pleasure. It may
be for a piece of bread, clothing, fame, power, or other material things that
will all pass away. Our thoughts need to be focused upon doing the will of God,
not our own will. It is written, SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST
THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU-Ja 4:7. Our thoughts need to be kept upon
Jesus, Who is our trust. THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS
STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE-Isa 26:3.

When Jesus was crucified, there were TWO THIEVES CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, ONE ON
THE RIGHT HAND, AND ANOTHER ON THE LEFT-Mt 27:38.AND THEY THAT PASSED
BY REVILED HIM, WAGGING THEIR HEADS, AND SAYING, THOU THAT DESTROYEST THE TEMPLE,
AND BUILDEST IT IN THREE DAYS, SAVE THYSELF. IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD, COME
DOWN FROM THE CROSS-Mt 27:39,40. We may note, the first temptation Jesus endured,
after having fasted forty days, was "IF THOU BE THE SON OF GOD." This
was followed by a request to do something ("If…then do this or that").
Here Satan—moving through his people—uses the same type of temptation.
Satan does not give up tempting us. He keeps trying, and trying, and trying.Jesus had already addressed
this type of temptation in Mt 4:7 with, THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD.LIKEWISE ALSO THE CHIEF
PRIESTS MOCKING HIM, WITH THE SCRIBES AND ELDERS, SAID, HE SAVED
OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE. IF HE BE THE KING OF ISRAEL, LET HIM NOW COME
DOWN FROM THE CROSS, AND WE WILL BELIEVE HIM. HE TRUSTED IN GOD; LET
HIM DELIVER HIM NOW, IF HE WILL HAVE HIM: FOR HE SAID, I AM THE SON OF GOD.
THE THIEVES ALSO, WHICH WERE CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, CAST THE SAME IN HIS
TEETH-Mt 27:41-44.What a temptation!
One purpose Jesus came was so that people would believe in Him. Satan skillfully
uses this in the temptation, as the chief priests, scribes, and elders had said
they would believe in Him, "if" He would come down from the cross.
Yet no temptation could move Jesus to disobey the will of His Father in heaven.Little did the religious leaders
realize, they were fulfilling Scripture with their mockings and their words.
As it is written, in Ps 22:7,8-ALL THEY THAT SEE ME LAUGH ME TO SCORN: THEY
SHOOT OUT THE LIP, THEY SHAKE THE HEAD, SAYING, HE TRUSTED ON THE LORD THAT
HE WOULD DELIVER HIM: LET HIM DELIVER HIM, SEEING HE DELIGHTED IN HIM.AND THE SOLDIERS ALSO
MOCKED HIM, COMING TO HIM, AND OFFERING HIM VINEGAR, AND SAYING, IF THOU BE
THE KING OF THE JEWS, SAVE THYSELF-Lk 23:36,37.Note the multitude of people
that tempted Him in the same way: they that passed by, the chief priests, the
scribes, the elders, the thieves, and the soldiers.Those that were mocking must
have thought this Jesus was a false Messiah and that His ability to destroy
the temple was gone. If He were the Christ, the Son of God, He should come down
off the cross. Since He did not do this, undoubtedly, it proved to the mockers
that His claims must be false. "He saved others," they reasoned, but
He could not save Himself. Their words, "HE TRUSTED IN GOD; LET HIM DELIVER
HIM NOW," further proved that they thought His claim of being the Son of
God was false as God did not rescue Him.Jesus conquered Satan’s temptations
by denying Himself. He overcame Satan by only doing the will of His Father in
heaven. As a result of sacrificing Himself and not yielding to Satan’s temptations,
a way was now made for the world to be saved. As it is written, FOR GOD SO LOVED
THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM
SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE-Jn 3:16.Consider carefully, the many
ways Jesus was tempted, yet was without sin. "Follow Jesus," Who is
our example.

7-ONE
CRIMINAL REPENTS

Both thieves had railed on Jesus after they were hung on the cross prior to
the sixth hour-ref Mt 27:44,45; however, afterward, one repented. As it is written,
AND ONE OF THE MALEFACTORS (or criminals) WHICH WERE HANGED RAILED ON HIM, SAYING,
IF THOU BE CHRIST, SAVE THYSELF AND US. BUT THE OTHER ANSWERING REBUKED HIM,
SAYING, DOST NOT THOU FEAR GOD, SEEING THOU ART IN THE SAME CONDEMNATION? AND
WE INDEED JUSTLY; FOR WE RECEIVE THE DUE REWARD OF OUR DEEDS: BUT THIS MAN HATH
DONE NOTHING AMISS. AND HE SAID UNTO JESUS, LORD, REMEMBER ME WHEN THOU COMEST
INTO THY KINGDOM. AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, VERILY I SAY UNTO THEE, TODAY SHALT
THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE-Lk 23:39-43.Note, the repentant criminal
feared God. He admitted he was wrong and that he was receiving his due reward
for what he had done. He admitted Jesus had done no wrong. He believed Jesus
was the Messiah and called Him, Lord, openly before all the people and was not
ashamed. He asked Jesus to remember him, because he was convinced that Jesus
was the Christ and had a kingdom. He had faith.The response of Jesus was,
TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.Although the Scriptures do
not mention the following, we can assume that upon such a confession, the people
who were mocking Jesus probably began to mock the repentant criminal and persecute
him also.

AND WHEN JESUS HAD CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, HE SAID, FATHER, INTO THY HANDS
I COMMEND MY SPIRIT: AND HAVING SAID THUS, HE GAVE UP THE GHOST-Lk 23:46.AND, BEHOLD, THE VEIL OF THE
TEMPLE WAS RENT IN TWAIN (or torn in two) FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM; AND THE
EARTH DID QUAKE, AND THE ROCKS RENT (or split)-Mt 27:51.THEN CAME THE SOLDIERS, AND
BRAKE THE LEGS OF THE FIRST, AND OF THE OTHER WHICH WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM.
BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO JESUS, AND SAW THAT HE WAS DEAD ALREADY, THEY BREAK NOT
HIS LEGS-Jn 19:32,33. THAT THE SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE FULFILLED-Jn 19:36. HE KEEPETH
ALL HIS BONES: NOT ONE OF THEM IS BROKEN-Ps 34:20. Also, regarding the Passover
lamb, THEY SHALL LEAVE NONE OF IT UNTO THE MORNING, NOR BREAK ANY BONE OF IT-Num
9:12.BUT ONE OF THE SOLDIERS WITH
A SPEAR PIERCED HIS SIDE, AND FORTHWITH CAME THERE OUT BLOOD AND WATER-Jn 19:34.
For ANOTHER SCRIPTURE SAITH-Jn 19:37, THEY SHALL LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY HAVE
PIERCED-Zech 12:10.HE SHALL SEE THE TRAVAIL (or
suffering) OF HIS SOUL, AND SHALL BE SATISFIED: BY HIS KNOWLEDGE SHALL MY RIGHTEOUS
SERVANT JUSTIFY MANY; FOR HE SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITIES-Isa 53:11. ALL WE LIKE
SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; WE HAVE TURNED EVERY ONE TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD
HATH LAID UPON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL-Isa 53:6.YET IT PLEASED THE LORD TO
BRUISE (or crush) HIM; HE HATH PUT HIM TO GRIEF (AND CAUSE HIM TO SUFFER-NIV):
WHEN THOU SHALT MAKE HIS SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN, HE SHALL SEE HIS SEED (offspring),
HE SHALL PROLONG HIS DAYS, AND THE PLEASURE OF THE LORD SHALL PROSPER IN HIS
HAND-Isa 53:10.THEREFORE WILL I DIVIDE HIM
A PORTION WITH THE GREAT, AND HE SHALL DIVIDE THE SPOIL WITH THE STRONG; BECAUSE
HE HATH POURED OUT HIS SOUL UNTO DEATH: AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS;
AND HE BARE THE SIN OF MANY, AND MADE INTERCESSION FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS-Isa
53:12.
HE WAS CUT OFF OUT OF THE LAND OF THE LIVING-Isa 53:8. The Messiah was
cut off-ref Dan 9:26.

10-VEIL
OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT

AND,
BEHOLD, THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT IN TWAIN FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM
(or was torn in two); AND THE EARTH DID QUAKE, AND THE ROCKS RENT-Mt 27:51.
This symbolized that man now had direct access to God through the atoning sacrifice
of Christ, His death. The work was finished. A new and living way had now opened
the Holy of Holies in the temple. It was not torn from the bottom to the top
as man might do it, but rather from the top to the bottom, signifying that God
had done it. The way to God was now open to everyone through Jesus Christ.